Changing Status Without Leaving Spain
Before the Startups Law, many foreign students had to leave Spain and apply for a new visa from their home country in order to convert their study residency into work residency. The Startups Law (Ley de Startups, passed in 2022) removed this requirement for graduates, allowing this change of status to be carried out directly from within Spain.
Students who have successfully completed a degree, master's programme or an official higher education course in Spain and hold a valid study residency.
Requirements to Convert to Work Residency
- An official job offer from a Spanish employer, or an independent entrepreneurial project
- A logical connection between the proposed job or project and the field of study completed
- A valid study residency at the time of application
- No criminal record in Spain
The 2025 Reform: Post-Study Arraigo
The Royal Decree amending the foreign nationals regulation (1155/2024), which took effect in 2025, introduced a new complementary pathway for graduates who do not have a specific job offer but who have a study history and legal residency in Spain. This pathway offers more flexibility than the Startups Law's strict "related job offer" requirement and can be a complementary option for those who have not yet found an employer.
The change-of-status application must be submitted before the current study residency expires. Delaying it can result in the loss of legal status and turn the process into a new application from Iran.
Practical Steps
- Obtain an official job offer or draft a business plan related to your field of study
- Prepare academic records, proof of residency history, and the employment contract or entrepreneurial project
- Submit the change-of-status application to the Immigration Office (Extranjería) before the study residency expires
- Once approved, obtain the new work residence card (TIE)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to leave Spain to change my status?
No. The Startups Law allows this change to be carried out without having to return to Iran or leave Spain.
Do I necessarily need a job offer?
Yes, for this specific pathway you must have a job offer or an entrepreneurial project related to your field of study.
What changed with the 2025 reform (post-study Arraigo)?
It introduced a new pathway that allows graduates to regularise their residency status under certain conditions, even without a specific job offer.
How much time do I have to apply after graduating?
The application must be submitted while the study residency is still valid and before it expires.